Samalut is one of the cities of
El
Minia
Governorate
located about 25km away from
El Menia
City on the western bank of the Nile . Samallout encloses a number of Islamic and Coptic monuments that attract many visitors , locals and foreigners alike for visiting it . It is one of the popular attractions for Christians in particular since it is believed to be a sacred place where the
Holy Family
stopped at during their journey from Palestine to Egypt . The most prominent tourist site in Samallout is the Monastery of
Virgin Mary
with its church that dates back to the fourth century at Gabal El Tair or the bird mountain .
